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Lighting the tunnel for consumers: how marketers are seizing the acceleration of digital
In a year of seismic, all-encompassing change it’s easy to focus on the problematic and negatives elements the pandemic has had on brands. However, marketers who seize the opportunities and embrace the change as a positive, can and will prosper. That was the overarching theme of a recent roundtable of APAC marketing leaders hosted by The Drum and Salesforce.
As technology continues to accelerate, the need for humanity and purpose will be even more important
Keeping pace with digital acceleration
“I'll throw something a bit controversial out there,” says Siva Jayaraj, VP, head of marketing and events, Prudential Thailand. “I actually think that Covid is a great thing. I think the virus is horrible. I think people dying is bad. But I think what’s happening around the world, triggered by Covid, is probably one of the best things that's happened in a long time. I think what is great is the acceleration of a lot of things.
“The acceleration of technology, the acceleration of digital, is something we're looking at now. From an insurance perspective, it’s been so hard to actually convince our distributors to sell online. They still want that face-to-face, to meet people and have roadshows and stand at the side of the road and flag people down. They fought us for years when we said we wanted to modernise. Then Covid hit, and in three months, everybody did remote selling, everybody started doing social media,” says Jayaraj.
The pandemic’s impact on technology and innovation cannot be understated; however, marketers agree the adoption of technology has not yet ushered in a wave of new tools or innovations.
Haswar Hafid, VP of advertising, Bukalapak says, “People are adapting and adopting more existing technologies, there are no new innovations, but people are using these existing innovations more in the recovery.”
Haswar says consumer use of digital payments tools has exploded while collaboration tools have become hugely popular for their convenience and cost-efficiencies during the pandemic.
With consumer behaviour shifting rapidly, Haswar says agility has become immeasurably important for businesses. In another portfolio of businesses that Haswar manages, Vidio (an OTT platform that is part of Emtek Group) has adopted a more agile approach to its business and has begun to promote different types of content for shorter periods.
“Previously, we promoted content for a longer period of time, but now we promote content on a shorter period of time and have become more programmatic. We saw traction in Korean dramas in May, then we went all out for Korean dramas. However, in July, there was traction for teen flicks content, then we shifted our strategy to push teen flicks content. This is to make sure that we are agile enough to survive in this era because there's so much uncertainty happening, even for content consumption behaviour.”
Building data strategies
The ability to pivot business models has become a crucial component in driving change and it’s helping brands to create and build their data strategies, according to Yoke Kuan Sun, regional sales director, marketing cloud, Salesforce.
“With FMCG companies in ASEAN, a lot of them are still trapped, selling via very traditional means to a retailer, it’s all B2B to C. They don't really own any consumer data because they don't sell direct to the consumer. But times are changing.”
Yoke Kuan says companies are looking to build direct to consumer strategies in order to start owning consumer data and ensure they can market to consumers who are no longer going to physical stores to shop for products. This focus on collecting, unifying and sharing customer data across a business was identified as a key focus for marketers across APAC in Salesforce’s 2020 State of Marketing report.
Elfrida Napitupulu, country marketing head, Indonesia, Herbalife, agrees. “Our current finding, because of the pandemic, is the company needs to move to be a customer-centric organisation and become data-driven. Innovation and creativity still matter, and technology has evolved the way that we do things for our customers, but we have to ensure we remain relevant. So, where we have less customer loyalty, we need to create emotional connections.”
Kristiana Putri, leader of content and performance, Bhinneka, says customer data has become even more critical in this current Covid-age.
“Now that people are staying at home, the internet is on 24/7; all our activities are in online media. Digital marketing is not only a must-have item; it's become essential for everyone in the marketing area. And obviously, digital is now the most effective way to reach out and understand our customer. Having that kind of feedback from using digital and the data that you can get is fundamental to knowing your customers.”
Avoiding the digital pitfalls
However, Putri warns against companies relying too much on technology and digital plans that aren’t supported by customer data.
“We cannot rely on just marketing technology. As marketers, we need to be more sensible to what our current condition is, and what the customer says and what the customer is doing right now. I think it's like the mix of the technology and understanding our customer is the best strategy to make the best marketing strategy possible,” says Putri.
“I think there's a danger of jumping on this digital bandwagon,” says Jayaraj. “When CMO’s are getting the push from the board or the CEO saying, ‘what are we doing for Covid?’ the immediate thing is to go digital. But I think it's too fast too soon. I think there’s a danger in jumping too soon; it's what's going to bite everybody.”
As technology continues to accelerate, the need for humanity and purpose will be even more important, continues Jayaraj.
“I think the future is purpose-driven. It's not about the light at the end of the tunnel; our job as marketers is to light the tunnel. People are suffering; people are losing their jobs; people have no access to technology. So, let's make the journey easier for them and light the tunnel. I think that's where the brands who adopt this will do well.”
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Explained: Why are farmers unhappy with the Agriculture Bills?
New Delhi, Sep 18: The Narendra Modi government move to replace three Bills on agriculture reforms - The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020; The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 become a bone of contention within the ruling alliance.
Farmers and farmer associations across the country have protested against the ordinances.
The oldest ally of the BJP, the Shiromani Akali Dal has said it will reconsider its alliance with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), soon after Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigned as a union minister in protest against the government's agricultural bills that have spurred massive resentment among its all-important voter base of farmers.
What are the two new farm Bills
The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 seeks to provide for the creation of an ecosystem where the farmers and traders enjoy the freedom of choice relating to sale and purchase of farmers' produce which facilitates remunerative prices through competitive alternative trading channels to promote efficient, transparent and barrier-free inter-State and intra-State trade and commerce of farmers' produce outside physical premises of markets or deemed markets notified under various State agricultural produce market legislations; to provide a facilitative framework for electronic trading and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The new legislation will create an ecosystem where the farmers and traders will enjoy freedom of choice of sale and purchase of agri-produce. It will also promote barrier-free inter-state and intra-state trade and commerce outside the physical premises of markets notified under State Agricultural Produce Marketing legislations. This is a historic-step in unlocking the vastly regulated agriculture markets in the country.
It will open more choices for the farmer, reduce marketing costs for the farmers and help them in getting better prices. It will also help farmers of regions with surplus produce to get better prices and consumers of regions with shortages, lower prices. The Bill also proposes an electronic trading in transaction platform for ensuring a seamless trade electronically.
The farmers will not be charged any cess or levy for sale of their produce under this Act. Further there will be a separate dispute resolution mechanism for the farmers.
The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 seeks to provide for a national framework on farming agreements that protects and empowers farmers to engage with agri-business firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters or large retailers for farm services and sale of future farming produce at a mutually agreed remunerative price framework in a fair and transparent manner and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The new legislation will empower farmers for engaging with processors, wholesalers, aggregators, wholesalers, large retailers, exporters etc., on a level playing field without any fear of exploitation. It will transfer the risk of market unpredictability from the farmer to the sponsor and also enable the farmer to access modern technology and better inputs. It will reduce cost of marketing and improve income of farmers.
This legislation will act as a catalyst to attract private sector investment for building supply chains for supply of Indian farm produce to national and global markets, and in agricultural infrastructure. Farmers will get access to technology and advice for high value agriculture and get ready market for such produce.
Farmers will engage in direct marketing thereby eliminating intermediaries resulting in full realization of price. Farmers have been provided adequate protection. Sale, lease or mortgage of farmers' land is totally prohibited and farmers' land is also protected against any recovery. Effective dispute resolution mechanism has been provided for with clear time lines for redressal.
So, why are the farmers unhappy?
Farmers have expressed apprehension that once these bills are passed, they would pave the way for dismantling of the minimum support price (MSP) system and leave the farming community at the "mercy" of big corporates.
The farmers added that the proposed legislations were "corporate agriculture bills" which were framed to suit "big corporates who seek to dominate the Indian food and agriculture business".
Congress has also suggested some changes in the ordinances to make them farmer-friendly.
"These ordinances are against the interests of farmers. If the government wants to implement them, then it should ensure that no purchases are made below MSP. The government could bring in a fourth ordinance separately to provide a clear provision that if any agency buys the crop of the farmer below the MSP, then legal action will be taken against it," Hooda said in a statement.
Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said these ordinances will not only "destroy" farmers, but will also lead a blow to the mandi system and impact farm labourers and ''Arhitiyas'' or commission agents as well.
What's govt take?
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism for farmers will continue and that the mechanism will not be impacted by two proposed legislations.
The minister also clarified that these bills would not have any impact on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism which will continue.
Further, he assured that these proposed legislations would not encroach upon the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Acts of the states.
"These two bills will ensure that farmers get better prices for their produce. They will not be subject to the regulations of mandis and they will be free to sell their produce to anyone. They will also not have to pay any taxes."
"These bills will increase competition and promote private investment which will help in development of farm infrastructure and generate employment," Tomar said.
The minister noted that because of these two reform bills farmers will be able to connect directly with big business and exporters, and will be able to make farming profitable.

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Neal Bhai Reports — Indians Selling Their Silver, Imports may Fall — A sharp rally in silver prices since the beginning of this year is likely to halve imports of the precious metal as consumers in India are offloading good quantities of silver to take the benefit of rising prices.
Silver, which fetched ` . 36,000 per kg during this time last year, is now available at ` . 46,000 per kg.
“The market is flooded with old silver as people want to take advantage of this price rise,“ said Mukesh Kothari, director of Mumbai-based RiddiSiddhi Bullions. “We do not see a steep hike in silver prices from this level in coming months. Urban as well as rural consumers are selling household silver. As a result, there is a huge supply of silver in the market though the demand for the metal is not going up. Even banks are holding good volumes of silver with them.“
While the entry of recycled silver in the market is hurting imports, traders who had imported silver in the past are also booking profits, which is likely to affect imports further. India has imported only 2,111 tonne of silver between January and July this year, less than half of 4,362 tonne imported during this period last year. In all, the country had imported 7,759 tonne of silver in 2015.
“Those jewellers who had stocked silver in the beginning of the year based on better monsoon forecast are not being able to sell the metal to rural India right now,“ said Haresh Acharya, secretary, Bullion Federation.
The demand for silver can start picking up only after the kharif crop is harvested, which will be over in October and November.“Since there is good stock in the market, we do not see a trigger for a sudden rise in silver imports in the second half,“ Acharya added.
In this situation, silver imports can only increase if industrial demand for the metal goes up.Silver is used in batteries, LED chips, glass coating, RFID chips, semiconductors, and touch screens. Globally, over half of silver is used for industrial purposes. But in India, only an estimated 20% is used by industries.
Interestingly, jewellers are pinning hope on Indian consumers channelising the profits earned from silver into gold in the upcoming festive seasons. “We are hoping that a portion of the profit earned from silver will go into purchasing of gold, mostly in rural India,“ said Prabhat Agarwal, a jeweller in Chhatarpur village of Madhya Pradesh. Gold consumption is likely to be 750850 tonne this year, according to World Gold Council. Rural India accounts for nearly 60% of the country’s total gold consumption. — Gold Silver Reports


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Things we learnt from Dell Technologies World
Michael Dell opened his company’s annual conference, Dell Technologies World ‒ which was, of course, virtual this year ‒ by talking about how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has never been more central to business and life.
“Many companies’ three-year digital plans have happened in just three months,” he said. “Technology is the only thing that worked and kept business going.”
He added that ‘work from home’ and ‘learn from home’ had been a launchpad to broaden access to employment as it made job opportunities more widely available. He did, of course, recognise the severe impact on economies, businesses and employees around the world due to the enactment of lockdowns, and the loss of life resulting from the virus.
Dell Technologies has seen strong growth in adoption of its on-demand, ‘as a service’, 30% year on year in Q2, and this has resulted in it launching Project Apex, which unifies on-demand access to storage, servers, networking, hyperconverged infrastructure, PCs and other solutions into a single offering.
An umbrella for Dell Technologies’ IT as a service, Apex includes pay as you use, pay as you go and subscription models. “Project Apex will give our customers choice, simplicity and a consistent experience across PCs and IT infrastructure,” said Jeff Clarke, COO, Dell Technologies.
In addition, the company’s Cloud Console was showcased, which is a single interface that enables the management of cloud offerings from Dell and its partners. It is available as a US-only public preview until Q1 2021, when it is expected to be made available to EMEA. It includes such functions as cost management, and allows administrators to group cloud usage into different business functions, such as HR, marketing or sales.
In addition to cloud, which Michael Dell described as `the way to consume IT for a generation’, Dell Technologies has categorised its offerings across the group into five key technology areas:
- AI/Machine learning
- Data management
5G, which Michael Dell called ‘the first mobile connectivity of the cloud era’, is expected to play a key role in the Dell line up, in collaboration with subsidiary VMware.
VMware’s CEO Pat Gelsinger added that, over time, he believes enterprise 5G will replace WiFi globally. In a subsequent media briefing, Gelsinger added that VMware and Dell are taking on 5G as a key focus. He likened the situation to datacentres of the past which relied heavily on separate physical hardware, and had been modernised to become software-defined. This he said was the approach the company was taking to traditional mobile telecommunication infrastructure, and challenging the approach taken by the likes of Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia. “Networking that’s physical and hardcoded isn’t efficient. There’s strong virtualisation needed for a new version of wireless,” he said.
The subject of Dell Technologies’ sale of VMware was also raised. Gelsinger said: “Discussions are in an early phase. We are looking at value creation for all stakeholders, and to benefit them all.”
Michael Dell added: “It’s only the media that are interested in this, when I talk to customers it doesn’t come up.” He says the company is exploring simplifying its capital structure and nothing would change for customers and the joint innovation coming from the two companies.
In addition to the above, Dell Technologies announced the following:
1. Dell EMC PowerStore, a storage system that blends automation, next-generation storage media and a novel software architecture.
2. Dell EMC PowerScale, a family of storage systems that set a new standard for how companies capture and manage unstructured data, and Dell EMC PowerFlex, software-defined storage solutions that deliver enterprise-class performance and resiliency for customers’ most critical workloads.
3. Dell Technologies Cloud PowerScale for Google Cloud, which combines Dell’s PowerScale network-attached storage with Google Cloud’s analytics and compute services to handle demanding workloads.
4. Dell supported modern application development and provided an easy path to Kubernetes adoption with VMware Tanzu on Dell EMC VxRail, the only hyperconverged infrastructure that offers a fully integrated Tanzu portfolio. Dell also provided end-to-end data management and protection of Kubernetes workloads with PowerProtect Data Manager.
5. Dell launched Enterprise SONiC Distribution by Dell Technologies, fully supported open source networking solutions developed for cloud-level, large-scale data centre environments.
6. Dell launched the Dell EMC VxRail system designed to sustain extreme temperatures and shock, and the compact, ruggedised Dell EMC PowerEdge XE2420 server that delivers performance and security for analytics applications at the edge.
7. Dell EMC Ready Solutions simplified and scaled AI workloads with self-service access to GPU resources, offering customers ‘AI anywhere’.
8. Dell SafeBIOS Off-Host Verification, delivered with VMware Carbon Black Cloud Audit and Remediation, provided IT and security teams access and visibility to the BIOS health of their Dell PCs wherever employees are working.
9. Dell expanded its PC portfolio with the industry’s first 5G-capable Intel-powered business PC.


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Luxury shoppers in New York and Florida are back. Neiman Marcus Inc. reported Thursday a 6.8 percent increase it January same-store sales, the second consecutive month that the luxury chain has posted higher sales from a year ago.
And for the first time since the downturn, the Dallas-based retailer said its stores in the Southeast, which have been among its weakest, showed strength. Stores in the Northeast, which include Bergdorf Goodman in New York, also had a strong January.
Best-selling categories were precious jewelry, women's couture apparel and dresses, shoes, handbags and men's.
Broken out by divisions, stores posted a 4.5 percent same-store sales increase in January. The Internet and catalog division recorded a 16 percent increase.
January also completed Neiman Marcus' fiscal second quarter on a high note. Same-store sales increased 0.6 percent, and total sales increased 2.1 percent, representing the first quarterly increase after seven consecutive quarterly declines in total sales.
For the quarter, the stores division posted a 0.6 percent same-store sales decline. Bergdorf Goodman alone had a 9 percent increase in same-store sales for the holiday quarter as New York bonuses weren't as bad as expected and international shoppers flocked to New York. Neiman Marcus Stores' same-store sales fell 2.2 percent in the quarter from a year ago.


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Worldwide mobile connections will reach 5.6bn this year, an increase of 11pc from 5bn connections in 2010, according to Gartner, Inc.
Mobile data services revenue will reach US$314.7bn in 2011, a 22.5pc rise from 2010 revenue of US$257bn.
“Mobile data traffic will increase significantly as more people will have access to mobile data networks, there is a migration toward smartphones and an increase in sales of media tablets,” said Jessica Ekholm, principal research analyst at Gartner.
“Mobile data volumes will continue to grow as mobile data networks become faster and more ubiquitous, while at the same time the number of data users and data usage per user is expected to grow.”
Data revenue will continue to grow, Ekholm said, but at a slower rate.
“This is causing a decoupling between revenue and data traffic, and it is also creating an increase in network costs for carriers as they try to sustain growing data traffic,” Ekholm said.
Worldwide mobile connections will experience steady growth through 2015, when mobile connections are forecast to reach 7.4bn, and mobile data revenue will reach US$552bn.
Drivers of mobile data traffic
In calculating its forecast, Gartner assumed there are four major mobile data traffic drivers: growth in the number of mobile connections; increasing availability of higher-speed, data-centric mobile networks; smartphones; and data-consuming content and applications.
More mobile connections will lead to higher demands on communication service providers’ (CSPs’) data networks, as more people access the networks to use mobile data and to send text messages.
In addition to the total number of connections growing, Gartner also expects mobile data usage per connection will increase throughout the forecast period and that there will be a shift in mobile users’ perception of mobile data around the world, as data plans go from being seen as a luxury, to being considered a nice-to-have service, to being perceived as potentially essential.
Gartner expects CSPs to increasingly start moving toward offering more flexible and more personalised data plans, which should help capture a larger mobile data user base.
“What carriers currently need are innovative ways to increase data revenue while finding smart solutions to manage a growing demand in data,” said Sylvain Fabre, research director at Gartner. “Ultimately, it will be the consumer who chooses the content he or she wants to use, and carriers need to ensure that the quality of experience is good. A substandard user experience may lead to higher churn.”


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Startups are Tech in Asia’s bread and butter. As Asia’s startup ecosystems grow, we’ll be here to document both their successes and failures. From seed-stage bootstrappers to multimillion-dollar exits, every startup worth its salt deserves a chance to be heard.
India’s youngsters are much more exposed to the global market than their parents. This has provided entrepreneurs in the country a chance to jump on the evolvin...
Milestone wants to digitize student records, employee evaluation, and interaction between teachers and parents.
One man's dream of evangelizing entrepreneurship in Pakistan started for real when he quit his corporate job.
The property market is booming once again. This startup wants to solve the trust issues among buyers and sellers in Australia.
The government and startup accelerator IdeaSpace are collaborating for the development of a national innovation hub in the Philippines.
GrabCar claims it is the first and so far the only app-based car booking service to be issued an accreditation as a transport network company in the Philippines...
This China-based startup is working on a social app that's about private moments of authenticity, not blasting the image of your "best you" to the masses.
With new data and risk models, this startup wants to provide credit to many people who are currently not eligible for loans.
India’s hot startup is in the news again for the wrong reasons.
HaloMoney leads the pack of financial comparison sites in Indonesia, at least in terms of the size of its war chest.
For Decoded Fashion’s first event in Asia, five startups will compete for a chance to demo their product or service at an Isetan department store.
Rumor has it that food delivery startup Foodpanda’s offices in Singapore got an unpleasant visit by the police. That did not happen, it says.
The digital media marketing company raises money for the first time to expand into new markets.
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is the latest stop on our eight-city tour across Asia to meet fledgling startups.
Smartphones have already changed the way you grab a cab and buy your groceries; the next thing your phone is going to shake up is how you enjoy a concert.
Mad Street Den brings recommendation of visually similar products to shoppers on Voonik and Craftsvilla. And picking a Bollywood saree with AI is only the begin...
Undaunted by existing players, the firm aims to capitalize on Indonesian businesses' demand for office supplies, electronics, and cleaning products.
A unique international acceleration program will see the winning Korean startups whisked away to Berlin for a three-month stint at the Betahaus incubator.
A startup is applying some Apple-esque design principles to make this smart water fountain for cats more appealing both to kitties and to humans.
Qlue now includes real-time information on Transjakarta buses, integrates Waze, and some other nifty stuff to help navigate Jakarta’s concrete jungle.
The Indian firm recently launched auto information portal CarBay in Indonesia. It’s not yet a classifieds site, but will likely threaten Carmudi and Mobile123. ...
Sporting goods worth $1.6 billion were exported from Sialkot last year. Sportskot wants to disrupt that.
As a fresh college graduate, Shota Horii spent a lot of time looking at women’s blogs. He wasn’t personally interested; Horii worked in online ad placement at A...
The visual tech is included in the Indian ecommerce company’s mobile app, aimed at fashion shoppers.
It is also partnering with online travel planning agencies to allow travelers to plan trips based on the location of eateries.


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Larry Ellison’s NetSuite (ticker:N) went public today. Read our story here. And read NetSuite’s SEC filing here. The company had bumped up its offering price to $26 per share from an initial target range of $13-$16. The result is that the company raised almost twice as much money as it expected just a couple of weeks ago.
Many people will look at the initial reaction to the stock, which dipped when trading opening and then barely recovered. But NetSuite was smart. The big pop that was so desired back in the dot-com days meant that companies were trading hype for money. If a company’s IPO soared when trading first opened, it meant that investors felt it was worth far more than what the price the company offered. And that meant the company priced it too low, leaving millions of dollars on the table.
NetSuite, on the other hand, appeared to have priced its IPO just right, meaning it captured a bigger share of the money for its own use.


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What Are Maryland’s Incentives for Purchasing an Electric Vehicle?
We haven’t quite made it to flying cars like The Jetsons, but we do at least have electric cars. They are environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and typically require less maintenance. States, the federal government and manufacturers are also incentivizing the purchase of electric vehicles with rebates and tax credits. Purchasing an electric car can save you money and save the planet.
Maryland is one of 10 states that participates in the Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) program. The ZEV program aims to reduce harmful emissions by requiring automakers to meet certain electric and hybrid vehicle production and sales quotas based on the number of non-electric cars they sell.
In addition to ZEV, Maryland’s Department of Transportation and the state’s Energy Administration have partnered to encourage residents to purchase electric vehicles (EVs). Their efforts have culminated in multiple current and future incentives for those who do purchase an EV.
Tax Credits for EV Vehicle Purchases
Electric car buyers can receive a federal tax credit worth $2,500 to $7,500. Tax credits depend on the size of the vehicle and the capacity of its battery.
The Maryland legislature also has a bill to revive funding for the state’s electric vehicle state excise tax incentive worth up to $3,000 for electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids.
EV and hybrid vehicle purchase incentives do benefit from some bipartisan support in Maryland and throughout the country.
“Our Clean Cars initiative has been incredibly successful, and we are urging the legislature to work with us to extend the program and make it accessible to more Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan last year in support of the Clean Cars Act of 2021 legislation.
The state of Maryland will hopefully continue to encourage electric vehicle purchases with additional incentives.
Rebate for EV Charging Equipment
In addition to the tax credit, Maryland offers a rebate for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) purchases and installation. Rebates are offered on a first come first serve basis. EVSE rebate applications for the fiscal year ending in June 2021 are currently available.
Electric vehicle owners can get 40 percent of their vehicle’s charging equipment and installation paid for by the state. Both residential and commercial purchases qualify for the rebate.
- Up to $700 for individuals
- Up to $4,000 for businesses
- Up to $5,000 for service stations/gas stations
There is also a Federal EVSE credit of up to 30 percent or $1,000 available for installing a charging station. Residents and commercial property owners can receive this in addition to Maryland’s EV charging equipment rebate.
A quality EVSE costs between $300 and $1,200 plus installation of up to $600.
With both federal and state incentives combined, you can theoretically get the government to pay for 70 percent of your EVSE purchase and installation.
EV drivers in Maryland still must pay for the electricity they use to charge their vehicles, but with government rebates the charging equipment is astonishingly affordable. Considering the reasonable cost and the rebate incentive, electric cars are quickly becoming an attractive and convenient alternative for many vehicle purchasers.
Fuel Programs and Charging Station Savings
Drivers in Maryland that want to go green can sign up for fuel programs, including the Clean Fuels Technical Assistance Program (CFTA) and the Clean Fuels Incentive Program (CFIP). These programs make alternative fuel for EV vehicles more accessible and offers a variety of driver incentives. The goal of the program is to reduce the consumption of imported petroleum.
Some companies are also joining the green bandwagon by offering savings to fuel up. Pepco and The Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) reduce electric charging rates during peak hours for drivers. These time-of-use charging rates save drivers even more money on top of the savings they are already enjoying from not having to purchase traditional fuels.
BGE also has a goal to install more charging stations throughout the Baltimore area and are encouraging EV vehicle purchases in Maryland through their EVsmart Program.
What might seem like a minor incentive at first glance is possibly the most compelling of them all. Electric vehicle owners can use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane at all times, with or without a passenger. That’s right – unlimited HOV lane access even in rush hour traffic.
Take Advantage of EV and Hybrid Vehicle Incentives While They Last
Maryland’s incentives for purchasing an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle are enticing to people looking for a new or used car to purchase. The state’s goal with programs like ZEV and EVsmart is to increase the number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the road to 300,000 by 2025.
Both government and non-governmental organizations in Maryland hope to encourage residents to purchase electric vehicles by creating an array of accommodations that make EV vehicles more affordable and convenient than traditional vehicles.
If you’re interested in learning more about used car leasing or EV purchases, Easterns Automotive can help you. Our used car dealership have a wide variety of hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles for sale near you. Browse our selection or give us a call at (877) 867-3612 so you can find the right vehicle for your driving needs.


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A massive spam campaign that poses as a message from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) asking people to register for H1N1 vaccinations remains a big problem today, a security researcher said.
While sounding a bit like Chicken Little, US Federal government watchdogs today said that the H1N1 pandemic will cause a significant increase in the use of the Internet by students and teleworkers that would create serious network access congestion.
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BRUNSWICK, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Aroma Joe’s, a coffee shop chain with locations mainly in New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, is expanding into New York. The company is set to open its first New York shop at 660 Hoosick Road in Brunswick.
Aroma Joe’s is unique in that it’s a fully drive-thru centric concept, said Dave Tucci, COO and Head of Franchise Sales for Aroma Joe’s. There are also no intercoms or headsets; it’s a face-to-face interaction.
“You pull up to the order window. You’re getting a really fun, positive engagement with a barista and then you’ll drive around to the other side of the building and pick-up the order,” said Tucci. “It’s kind of a unique concept to this area.”
Tucci said there will also be a walk-up window if you don’t want to wait in the drive-thru line. Aroma Joe’s is also working to set up mobile ordering for this location.
The Brunswick location is currently under construction with a tentative opening date in May, said Tucci. Aroma Joe’s has a development agreement with the franchisee of this location to open 20 locations in the greater Capital Region over the next 10 years. No specific locations have been picked out yet, said Tucci.
The Aroma Joe’s menu features a variety of coffee drinks, energy drinks, smoothies, hot chocolate, pastries and other breakfast items. You can view the full menu on the Aroma Joe’s website.


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The Blast Furnace under fire from Activision, future of the UK studio unclear
Activision not retreating from mobile
Best known for creating Call of Duty: Strike Team, the Leeds-based studio's employee based are said to be taking part in an employee consultation process which suggests a pending studio sale or closure.
In response to talk of the developer's demise, Activision has stated it is trying to "keep The Blast Furnace together and develop a plan that will enable them to remain as a team."
Trial by fire
Although Activision hasn't announced exactly what will happen with The Blast Furnace, the chances of the studio carrying on in its current form seem increasingly unlikely.
An Activision spokesperson confirmed that the publisher "met with The Blast Furnace this morning and are currently discussing options for their future."
Back in August 2012, Activision's VP of mobile strategy Greg Canessa said his studio decided to open a UK studio because [the UK] "has some of the world's most talented game developers."
"Through the creation of The Blast Furnace, we were able to attract the most talented game developers in that space," Canessa concluded.
We'll keep you updated with the fate of The Blast Furnace and its team as the story develops.


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The sale of Appalachian Oil Company Inc. (APPCO) convenience store chain in eastern Tennessee to Florida Sunshine Investments Inc. was approved by bankruptcy Judge Marsha Parsons yesterday. The closing is expected to follow today.
“I’m pleased that Florida Sunshine will retain all of APPCO’s stores, a portion of its dealer business, and the vast majority of employees,” said P. A. (Andy) Weber, III, senior vice president of NRC Realty & Capital Advisors LLC (NRC), which is handling the sale. Weber has been serving as chief restructuring officer for APPCO. “It is the end of a long road in APPCO’s history and the beginning of a new chapter in APPCO’s bright future.”
The purchase by Florida Sunshine Investments includes all 47 sites operated in bankruptcy by APPCO of Blountville, Tenn., as well as rights to the company’s private brand name, APPCO. The stores, all of which are leasehold properties, are located in eastern Tennessee, southeastern Kentucky, and southwest Virginia. They were offered through NRC’s “buy one, some or all” sealed bid sale process, under the supervision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.


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Tech upgrades are on the horizon for Fernie’s newest co-working space, 2nd Edition Coworking, thanks to a $10,000 grant from Columbia Basin Trust (CBT).
Fernie Chamber of Commerce said the money will go to buy new computers, a tablet, and an integrated teleconferencing setup for the meeting room at 2nd Edition Coworking.
“Right at the tail end of 2020, the Fernie Chamber of Commerce finally opened our doors to the brand-new co-working space we have in downtown Fernie. One of the final pieces of setting up the space was decking it out with some technology,” said Brad Parsell, Fernie Chamber executive director. “This grant has been sort of an amazing last piece of the puzzle to set up our coworking space.”
The Chamber said the new equipment will help better serve both its own members and those with 2nd Edition, offer virtual professional development workshops, and provide a space for local entrepreneurs to hold virtual meetings.
“Most meetings in any business or organization right now are virtual, so having a meeting room completely decked out with a 55 inch TV and all the teleconferencing equipment is going to be a huge win for our members and the public in Fernie,” said Parsell.
Parsell added that he and the Chamber are thankful for the grant from CBT.
“We are incredibly grateful to Columbia Basin Trust for this opportunity to equip the Fernie Chamber’s new downtown community co-working space with state-of-the-art technology that will help local professionals connect virtually, and work on their business goals. Now more than ever it is important that our organization and our entrepreneurial community has access to this critical technology as we look to our competitiveness and resiliency during recovery from the pandemic.”
The co-working space in downtown Fernie is open to the public at a reduced capacity.


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Amazon and Valentino have filed a joint lawsuit against Kaitlyn Pan, a New York-based women’s shoe retailer that is being sued for replicating the Italian fashion house’s shoe designs, including its signature Garavani Rockstud shoe, and using the Tech giant’s platform as one of its retail points.
Amazon, who has shut down Kaitlyn Pan’s account on its platform back in September 2019, has commented, “Despite multiple notices of infringement and a cease and desist order, Kaitlyn Pan continues to import, distribute, sell, and offer infringing products on kaitlynpanshoes.com,” and has “flagrantly and willfully disregarding Valentino’s intellectual property” by attempting to apply for trademark in the U.S. for the studded shoe design.
This lawsuit marks the first time both parties have joined forces in litigation. Business of Fashion notes also that “Amazon has long been rumoured to be readying a new luxury fashion site to rival Alibaba’s Tmall Luxury Pavilion, but LVMH and other top luxury groups say the risk of counterfeiting is high on such platforms.”
In other business-related news, Richemont hires former Givenchy CEO to lead its fashion portfolio.


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At the beginning of 2020, search giant Google launched a lite version of the Google Camera app for Android Go edition smartphone. The smartphone app was called Camera Go, at the time of launch the app didn’t arrive with many features like the regular Google camera app, but the company has gradually started adding a new feature to make it more interesting for the users. Back in October, app developers added a Night mode to the app so that users can click high-quality photos during low-light conditions. Now, Google has once again added a new feature to the app called the HDR support. Here’s a look at the new feature on Camera Go app.
HRD Support on Google Camera Go App
According to the report, Google has announced the rollout of the HDR support for the Camera Go app. This step is taken to allow entry-level Android smartphones to click quality pictures with perfect colour balance. Google shared a post on its official Android Tweet handle stating, “Camera Go keeps getting better. We’re bringing HDR to more #Android devices, allowing you to capture photos with crisper details and richer colour at any time of day.”
— Android (@Android) December 17, 2020
According to Android Central report, the latest Camera Go HDR support update is tipped to be available for low-end Android smartphones like Nokia 1.3, Wiko Y61, and Wiko Y81. These three entry-level phones are expected to receive the update by the end of this month. Once the update installs a new toggle button will be available as HDR mode in the Camera Go app. All you need to do is to enable the feature and you are good to go.
The HRD support for Camera Go app will be limited to a selected smartphones, so this won’t be good news for all the entry-level Android smartphone users. You can install the APK of the app on any Android phone running on Android 8.0 Oreo, but Night mode and HDR features will not be accessible.
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Evatone to stop making optical discs
Evatone Inc. plans to cease optical disc manufacturing at its Largo facility after the first quarter of this year.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early November and is seeking court approval to sell the optical disc segment of its business.
Evatone decided to stop optical disc manufacturing due to the decline in sales of CDs and DVDs, a release said.
The company is in the process of forming a strategic alliance with a global provider of optical discs to provide discs for Evatone’s existing accounts.
Evatone’s optical disc manufacturing equipment is aging, and the company faced reinvesting in new technology or closing the division, Carl Evans, chief executive officer, said in a statement.
Overhead associated with optical disc manufacturing accounts for more than half of Evatone’s expenses, bankruptcy court records show. Nearly $12 million of the company’s projected $28 million in 2008 revenue is from sales of optical disc products.
The company’s sheetfed printing, digital printing and fulfillment continues with no changes, the release said.
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The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Remote ID for Drones is a ‘giant middle finger to aviation hobbyists’ is the title of this article from ARS Technica. And even though we (DroneDJ) are pro Remote ID for Drones, albeit not in the overreaching and expensive way the FAA is currently proposing, we do agree with ARS Technica wholeheartedly. The current proposed rules will likely destroy the model aircraft and drone hobby so many people enjoy.
FAA’s Remote ID for Drones is a ‘giant middle finger to aviation hobbyists’
Timothy B. Lee writes for ARS Technica that:
More than 34,000 people have deluged the Federal Aviation Administration with comments over a proposed regulation that would require almost every drone in the sky to broadcast its location over the Internet at all times. The comments are overwhelmingly negative, with thousands of hobbyists warning that the rules would impose huge new costs on those who simply wanted to continue flying model airplanes, home-built drones, or other personally owned devices.
The new regulations probably wouldn’t kill the hobby of flying radio-controlled airplanes outright, but it could do a lot of damage. Owners of existing drones and model airplanes would face new restrictions on when and where they could be used. The regulations could effectively destroy the market for kit aircraft and custom-designed drones by shifting large financial and paperwork burdens on the shoulders of consumers.
The new rules are largely designed to address safety and security concerns raised by law enforcement agencies. They worry that drones flying too close to an airport could disrupt operations or even cause a crash. They also worry about terrorists using drones to deliver payloads to heavily populated areas.
But critics say the rules impose massive costs on thousands of law-abiding Americans who have been quietly flying model airplanes, quad-copters, and other small unmanned aircraft for years—and, in many cases, decades.
The rules require that the drone itself have an Internet connection. That will instantly render many existing drones obsolete, forcing hobbyists to upgrade or discard them. And it will also make it significantly more expensive to own a drone, since you’ll need to sign up for a data plan.
This do-it-yourself approach runs directly counter to the FAA’s vision, in which every drone has a single manufacturer who takes care of regulatory compliance.
You can read the entire article here.
What do you think about the FAA’s NPRM for Remote ID for Drones? Let us know in the comments below.
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Macau’s VIP gaming market continues its recovery in the second quarter of 2017, with released figures pointing towards renewed strength in high roller baccarat revenue and VIP shares compared to this time last year.
Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), the special administrative region’s local gaming regulator released the new statistics earlier this week, reporting Macau’s casino operators generated VIP baccarat revenue of MOP 35.85 billion (USD$4.46 billion) between April and June, which is up 34.8% from Q2 2016’s figures of MOP 26.6 billion.
While VIP baccarat is only up 1% from Q1 2017, overall VIP share of Macau’s gaming market revenue for Q2 2017 is reported at 57%, up 5.5% from Q2 2016.
Earlier this month, gross gaming receipts released by the DICJ confirmed Macau had experienced a 25.9 per cent jump in monthly gaming earnings to MOP 19.99 billion (USD$2.49 billion), owing to increased demand and business from high stakes VIPs and increased junket activity.
In the wake of Macau’s VIP gaming market resurgence, president of Macau’s Association of Gaming and Entertainment Promoters Kwok Chi Chung told GGRAsia the capital deposit for Macau casino junkets newly licensed and registered should increase to MOP 50 million (USD$6.2 million), up from the current threshold of MOP 100,000 (USD$12,500) originally set in 2004.
Mr Kwok previously suggested an increase in the required deposit from junket operators to MOP 10 million in April last year, but with his new figures has elaborated the 120 currently licensed gaming promoters in Macau would not be affected by any new threshold introduced by authorities.
The Association of Gaming and Entertainment Promoters also put forward the idea for a new licensing system to regulate junket “collaborators”, individuals who are not licensed by the Macau government but play a role in bringing VIP high roller players to Macau, either by way of arranging player payment on losses or securing them credit for further play.
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iPhone users all over the US generally agree that AT&T's 3G service is nowhere near as stellar as the company claims—we have seen the look on iPhone users' faces when an AT&T commercial brags about the "fastest 3G network." But a recent report concludes that the blame is on Apple's shoddy design, not inadequacies of AT&T's network. We're not convinced this data supports such a conclusion though.
The conventional wisdom, espoused by AT&T's own top executives, is that AT&T simply has not built its network out in the US to support the growing tide of data traffic coming from increasingly popular smartphones. AT&T Mobility's Ralph de la Vega pointed to the iPhone as a top contributor to this problem, even while admitting that the networks in San Francisco and New York City aren't up to AT&T's standards.
However, The New York Times is now trying to make the case that the problem is the iPhone itself, and not AT&T's network. Its report cites two studies that say AT&T has the best network around: one is from Global Wireless Solutions, which counts AT&T, but not Verizon, as a client, and claims that AT&T's network consistently managed data rates "40 to 50 percent higher than the competition." Another study is from Root Wireless, which uses a background application—which cannot run on the iPhone—to collect data from "continuous network tests." Its results suggest that AT&T has "faster average download speeds and [has] signal strength of 75 percent or better more frequently than Verizon."
These results are contradictory to those from surveys done by Consumer Reports, which placed AT&T in last place for customer satisfaction, and another by Boy Genius Report, which placed AT&T in the middle of the pack when it comes to raw average network speed. Further, there is evidence to suggest that a a high dropped call rate is common in large metro areas like New York. AT&T may indeed have the "fastest 3G network" if one simply goes by the theoretical maximum data rates that AT&T is implementing (until a competitor implements a faster standard), but the conflicting results of these tests show that in practice, AT&T's network doesn't provide the best service in every case.
The NYT also cites a Nielsen analyst who points the finger directly at the iPhone's cell radio hardware. Roger Entner, senior vice president for telecommunications research at Nielsen, told the NYT that the iPhone has shortcomings that "affect both voice and data." Consumers believe that Apple, and therefore the iPhone, is infallible, according to Entner, and so then assume AT&T is to blame for the problems.
We disagree wholeheartedly with Entner's claims, however. Hardware has been blamed before for the iPhone's sketchy 3G reception, though there is no evidence to support that theory. We also find it hard to believe that the iPhone 3GS wouldn't have improved reliability on AT&T's network if the cell radio hardware was at the root of the problem. Furthermore, iPhone users in other countries do not report the same problems that US users do—if hardware is indeed the problem, why don't those users report reception or data rate issues?
Unfortunately, the evidence that the iPhone itself is to blame just doesn't add up. The iPhone may be largely responsible for an unexpected growth in data use, and based on our own experience—try using an iPhone during Macworld Expo or SXSW, for instance—we believe this is causing AT&T headaches. Whether AT&T's network is the "fastest" or "most reliable" or any other accolade is perhaps a matter of debate, depending on your service area. But a lack of consistently reported issues outside the US points the finger squarely at AT&T and its network.
UPDATE: We have had a number of readers comment on the forums and directly via e-mail that the problems experienced by AT&T customers in the US aren't experienced elsewhere, including the UK. However, a reader pointed us to this CNET UK editorial complaining about dropped calls and lousy service in dense areas of the UK.
A source—who requested we not reveal his identity—told Ars that the problem isn't the cell radio hardware, nor the network infrustructure, but an issue with the way that the iPhone OS conserves power. All iPhone apps, including Phone.app, cause the radio to switch from "active" to "idle" mode when accessing the network far more often than traditional phones do. This causes the signaling channel, responsible for such functions as SMS messaging, initiating, maintaining, or ending a phone call, voicemail notifications, and DHCP requests, to become overloaded.
"This can lead to odd effects," the source told Ars. "For example, you could be in an area with perfect 5-bar reception, but because the signalling channel is overloaded your phone won't ring and calls go into voicemail." Our source also said that the iPhone was the first phone to cause this particular problem, but that Android and webOS phones have had a similar effect.


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M&M/Mars will use Super Bowl XXXV to kick off a $40 million ad blitz for Snickers Cruncher, a new candy being launched in December.
The product, a crisped rice version of the Snickers bar, is part of an effort to grow the $1 billion brand's sales by introducing a new variety. M&M/Mars has successfully leveraged its M&M's candy into a mega-brand with a series of innovations--the most recent of which, M&M's Crispy, was launched on the 1999 Super Bowl. But Bob Gamgort, VP-marketing for M&M/Mars, said it's not necessarily the beginning of a similar strategy for Snickers.
"When we track favorite candy brands with consumers, Snickers comes out to be No. 1 across all age groups, but it's not the largest brand in terms of sales, in part because we haven't given people a lot of variety," he said. "We want to increase Snickers' role within the broader repertoire of consumers' confectionery purchases, and to do that, texture is key."
The only previous extension of Snickers, a peanut butter variety now discontinued, wasn't differentiated enough from the base brand's smooth, chewy texture, but Cruncher's crispy texture is, Mr. Gamgort said.
Crispy candy sales also are growing at a fast clip. According to M&M/Mars research from Information Resources Inc., the crunchy/crispy chocolate segment grew 13.6% in 1999 compared with growth in the regular chocolate segment of only 4.8%. M&M/Mars' own M&M's Crispy launch last year played to that trend, making up 12% of the total for that growing segment and amassing roughly $150 million in sales in its first year.
M&M's Crispy also contributed greatly to M&M/Mars' total share growth of 0.5% last year, showing it brought incremental users to the category.
Mr. Gamgort said he anticipates Snickers Cruncher will drive sales growth as well. Expectations are that sales for Cruncher could reach $105 million in its first year, roughly 70% of M&M's Crispy, he said.
Because M&M/Mars wants to reach current Snickers users and increase their purchase frequency with the launch of Cruncher, marketing efforts likely will continue in the vein of the current campaign from BBDO Worldwide, New York, themed "Hungry? Grab a Snickers." The TV effort will play up the crispy texture of the new product and Snickers' new ability to satisfy a variety of tastes.
In addition to traditional TV and print, M&M/Mars plans to incorporate elements of the underground marketing approach it used to relaunch Milky Way Dark as Milky Way Midnight in May. Among them will be creative uses of the Internet, outdoor advertising and sampling efforts.
M&M/Mars spent $214 million in measured media in 1999, with $77 million put toward its leading M&M's brand and $25 million on Snickers, according to Competitive Media Reporting.
Copyright August 2000, Crain Communications Inc.


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It’s that time of year again – Halloween decorations adorned with spiders abound and stories of spiders ‘invading’ homes crop up almost daily.
Bristol Zoo Gardens bird-keeper Becky Muir is urging everyone to vote and make the Kea bird of the year in New Zealand.
Today is International Sloth Day, an opportunity to celebrate these furry tree-dwellers.
Bristol Zoo Gardens have won a Bristol in Bloom award for the 17th year running.
They may not have had a top 10 hit for some years, but Girls Aloud are still very much a popular group at Bristol Zoo Gardens.
People called him an ugly duckling when he hatched at Bristol Zoo Gardens with hardly any feathers and dark bulging eyes.
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Bandai Namco offers a look at Digimon Survive in new developer diary
Following its announcement in summer 2018, we hadn't heard much about strategy RPG Digimon Survive. But that silence broke today as Bandai Namco posted a new video offering an extended in-depth look at the game as well as the Digimon video game franchise as a whole.
You can check out the 15-minute video below, which features commentary by producers Kazumasa Habu and Katsuaki Tsuzuki. The developers discuss both recently released Digimon games and where the franchise is heading next with Digimon Survive. Some gameplay footage can also be found in the video.
Digimon Survive is slated to release in 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.


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All of Coal Burger’s dipping sauces and dressings are house-made and the French fries are fried in antioxidant-rich rice bran oil.
Other Coal Burger signature items include their chief-inspired salads and thick gelato milkshakes and floats.
Maroney said the environment was very important as well. Coal Burger wants people to walk in and immediately get an organic and casual feel, she added.
“We want Coal Burger to give people the chance to sit down and enjoy their burger but we also strive for quick service,” Maroney said. “We want people to be excited to take the first bite when they arrive so we try to get customers their burger in a couple of minutes after they order.”
Maroney said she urges people to come down and try Coal Burger out.
Ciolli said in a press release, “The delicious smoky flavor of cooking in a coal-fired oven, paired with natural ingredients, makes us believe we have a winning combination.”


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ALL YOU CAN HAUL GROCERY SPREE AT PINO’SJul 17th, 2020
FREE GROCERY SPREE
From July 14th- July 16th, customers who purchased a new vehicle in the month of June were invited to participate in Northside’s All You Can Haul FREE Grocery Spree at Pino’s Get Fresh. Customers raced through the aisles to fill their carts with free groceries and Northside picked up the bill at checkout.
We also held a contest on SooToday.Com and asked readers to vote on a deserving charity to be awarded a $500 Grocery Shopping Spree. ARCH Hospice won over 50% of the votes and was given the opportunity to receive the $500 grocery spree. Bree, (Marketing and Events Associate of ARCH Hospice), along with Katherine (Events Coordinator of ARCH Hospice) had 2 minutes to fill their cart with fresh produce, meats, and necessities that they wouldn’t typically receive. You can watch Bree and Katherine filling their cart for ARCH Hospice.
This year, two customers made it extra special, by donating their shopping spree to the local soup kitchen. The SSM Soup Kitchen will be receiving a gift card to be able to put towards re-stocking their shelves.
We had close to 100 customers participate (over the span of three days) in the event and we hope they had just as much fun as we did. Big thanks to Pino’s, SooToday, and our customers for helping make this promotion such a success!
Check out the video below.


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Google is paying a $22.5 million fine to settle the latest regulatory case questioning the Internet search leader's respect for people's privacy and the integrity of its internal controls.
When Microsoft unveils a new version of its Web browser, users will be able to traverse the Web like always but with one significant difference: The company plans to make "do not track" the default setting.
A US regulator Wednesday proposed tougher standards to protect privacy and collection of data of children using the Internet.
A US Senate hearing Wednesday highlighted concern over the growing use of facial recognition technologies, both for law enforcement use and in big social networks like Facebook.
Google is close to reaching a deal to pay $22.5 million to settle a suit over its secret bypassing of privacy settings of millions of Apple users, the Wall Street Journal reported.
(AP) -- The Texas attorney general is accusing Google of improperly withholding evidence to stymie an investigation into whether the company has been abusing its dominance of Internet search.
A new lawsuit consolidating several complaints about Facebook's privacy policies was filed Friday in California, seeking damages for US users of the social network for improper tracking.
Twitter wants to guide new hatchlings as they venture out of the virtual nest with its experimental tailored suggestions of whom to follow. This personalization comes on the heels of the company's confirming that users also ...
Twitter on Thursday took a stand for online privacy by backing a Firefox web browsing feature that lets people signal that they don't want their Internet activity tracked.
Some 900 million people like Facebook. But when they realize their private information is being bought and sold, some don't like it so much.


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The global animal feed additives market was worth US$13.5 billion in 2011 and is expected to reach US$17.5 billion in 2018, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 3.8 percent from 2011 to 2018, according to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research.
In the overall global market, Asia Pacific is expected to maintain its lead position in terms of revenue till 2018. Asia Pacific is expected to enjoy 32.4% of global animal feed additives market revenue share in 2018 followed by Europe. The increase in global demand for meat and meat products has fueled the growth of global feed additives market over the last three years, according to the report. This growth is particularly higher in emerging countries like China, India, and Brazil which contributed 23 percent in 2011 and is expected to contribute 39 percent in 2018.


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A village hall in Strichen will be turned into a multiuse complex with a cafe and retail shops after councillors agreed on the proposal today.
The Templar Hall now hold an antique collectables shop and a cafe which will play acoustic music - it will also employ five to six full time staff in the village as well as opening three part-time positions.
Mr Smith, who applied for the change, addressed the Buchan Area Committee today before the agreed to his proposal.
He said: “We’re looking at a mixed retail venue, cafe and a barber.
“Opening hours will be nine to five originally but we would like to open later if there is the demand.”
Some of the complaints lodged against the new use for Templar Hall included worries of noise pollution as the cafe will hold acoustic sessions.
But Mr Smith quelled concerns of councillors who spoke of the complaints by stating it would be very low key acoustic sets which diners could enjoy a meal too and at present would be finished by 5 pm.
Mr Smith said he believed the venture could be up and running by December.


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Blog by: Tony Longo
Contact Tony: firstname.lastname@example.org
Connect with Tony: Linkedin
The #1 factor that determines whether a prospect will take the time to learn more about RBI's product's is our promise to deliver. One of RBI’s goals is to identify our customer’s “pain points” and provide custom solutions designed to improve their situation.
RBI has been thrilled to sponsor Cambridge High School Robotics Team for a few years. This year we donated 200 R8-ZZ bearings to the robotics department - where students have been working on their robot concepts for the first half of the school year. The bots have entered the build stage and the students gave us an update on how their bots are
Recently it was announced that China is willing to offer more access to foreign companies into their market. They also announced the Made in China 2025 would be revised to include foreign companies. China had announced in 2015 that they wanted to be a self-sufficient society essentially dominating all manufacturing by 2025. Today they pulled that
RBI’s Approach to Managing the Tariffs and Our Cost Saving Solution.
By: Michael Kenney
With 95 percent of RBI’s latest shipments of product affected by the tariffs, we have been reviewing the impact on the company’s inventory and working with our customers to determine what’s in stock and which products might need to be ordered again in the near
As you know, the U.S. Government has recently imposed tariffs on most bearings and industrial products that are manufactured in China. RBI has manufacturing facilities in Wuxi, China and many of our products have been affected by these tariffs.
Although the 25% and 10% tariff is substantial, we feel the greater risk is going to be a breakdown of
In the fall of 2017 RBI Bearing was approached by the Robotics Director for Maplewood High School and asked if RBI would consider donating 100 R8-ZZ bearings to their robotics teams. Absolutely! We jumped at the opportunity to help students further their knowledge in STEM by building bots for competition.
For the past 12 years, Maplewood High
The Chinese yuan has appreciated 10% against the dollar since the start of 2017, silencing some critics that say China has been deliberately suppressing its currency.
The strength of the yuan against the dollar is partly due to the dollar’s weakness, some think China is propping up its currency to avoid being labelled a currency manipulator.
Article written by Gary Huang and originally posted in 80/20 Sourcing. Follow Gary here.
A hard stance against “heavy polluters”
If your company is sourcing products from China, then there is a major disruption that may be flying under your radar. Since June of 2017, China’s new Ministry of Environment is taking a hard stance against Chinese
Good food, good people, good times. Oh, and the annual bags tournament!


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Carlsberg signs JV deal to enter Myanmar
COPENHAGEN Feb 1 (Reuters) - Danish brewer Carlsberg has signed a deal with a privately owned local beverage company, Myanmar Golden Star (MGS) Breweries, to brew and market Carlsberg beers in the country.
Carlsberg said in a statement on Friday that the companies plan to set up a new greenfield brewery and distribute Carlsberg beers in the local market.
The joint venture is 51 percent owned by Carlsberg, the brewer said.
(Reporting by Copenhagen Newsroom; Editing by Ken Wills)
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© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and Dental Products Report. All rights reserved.
With this new online platform, Straumann aims to encourage and support the adoption of digital dental technologies and workflows.
With the launch of its Digital Academy North America, or DANA, platform Straumann is offering support to dental professionals looking to bring digital technologies and workflows into their operations.
The online educational platform is streamlined and easy to use, according to a press release from Straumann. It provides access to educational resources including online courses, webinars, and expert-led workshops, with topics covering the entire scope of digital dentistry from digital impressions to guided implant surgery, to clear aligners, and more.
"Our goal is to provide a platform that is easy to use, informative, and supportive, enabling dental professionals to enhance their skills and deliver the best possible care to their patients," Jason Coss, VP of digital Solutions for Straumann North America says in the release.
The new DANA platform is optimized to provide a great user experience on mobile devices, and it supports customization along with personalized training plans and support from expert trainers.
The platform is available to dental professionals in the US at www.straumann.us/dana, and to dental professionals in Canada at www.straumann.ca/dana.


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At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2022, Apple is expected to introduce two new models of Mac devices, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. In the latest report from Gurman, the Cupertino tech giant could launch a MacBook Air and 24 inch iMac. Alongside, Apple will reportedly announce the iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 14 and the watchOS 9 during the event.
The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2022 is scheduled to commence from April 6 till April 10. The company had announced the development of the M1 chipsets two years back during the WWDC and this year, it is expected to announce two new mac devices.
- New Macs coming soon-ish, including the new MacBook Air— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 10, 2022
- Internal iOS 16 builds are full of ties to the Apple headset, rOS
- iOS 16 to get notifications update, but no redesign. Redesigned iPad app switcher planned
- Health and Fitness upgrades coming.https://t.co/4ESTiJqaPK https://t.co/5b5H76uTJC
Since the M1 lineup is complete after the unveiling of M1 Ultra chipset this year in March, the rumoured MacBook Air and the 24 inch iMac could launch with the new generation M2 chipsets. It has also been reported that the M2 Pro, M2 Ultra and M2 Max chipsets will also be unveiled along with the M2 chipset during the WWDC 2022 event.
As mentioned earlier, Apple will be rolling out the iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 14 and watchOS 9 with a lot of “major upgrades” including the “health tracking features” for the iPhones. The AirPods Pro new generation is also tipped to include health features.
Power On: What to expect at WWDC 2022 and much more https://t.co/KLAVBP8ze5— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 10, 2022
Talking about the Apple Watch, the watchOS 9 is tipped to come included with a plethora of new health and fitness features during the WWDC 2022.


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Hundreds of drones lit up the night sky in Seoul for a spectacular showcase of motivational and awareness messages as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic.
China's interest in blockchain technology is about to take its next step as the Blockchain-Based Service Network (BSN) comes into commercial effect. The aim of this network is to allow companies and software developers to be able to plug into the BSN and build blockchain-based applications quickly and affordably.
Google will pay partnered media publishers in three countries and offer some users free access to paywalled news sites, the tech giant said.
Singapore's first drone delivery service has begun by taking vitamins to a ship, with its operator saying the devices are crucial in reducing human contact during the coronavirus pandemic.
A scurrying robot dog named K9 dispenses hand sanitizer to curious children and wary shoppers -- one of the more unexpected measures Thai malls are taking as the kingdom relaxes virus restrictions.
TechConnect IT Solutions a leading provider of cloud services and an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Advanced Consulting Partner, announced it has been awarded AWS data and analytics competency certification; the only Advanced Consulting Partner in Australia to achieve this prestigious competency level.
Facebook and PayPal have invested in the Indonesian ride-hailing and digital payment start-up Gojek, joining other tech giants Tencent and Google.
TECNO announced that it will hold its product launch through TV broadcast on April 2nd to unveil its camera phone- the TECNO CAMON 15 series on DSTV golden time - 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. It will be streamed live online on TECNO’s Facebook and will include a generous giveaway for TECNO fans. This online product launch will be the first-ever online smartphone launch in African history, which is not only a big breakthrough in the smartphone industry, but also shows that Internet development in Africa has stepped into a new phase. Here are some key facts.
NVIDIA today launched the NVIDIA® Mellanox ConnectX®-6 Lx SmartNIC — a highly secure and efficient 25/50 gigabit per second (Gb/s) Ethernet smart network interface controller (SmartNIC) — to meet surging growth in enterprise and cloud scale-out workloads.
Intel has launched the Cascade Lake Refresh processor, a new member of the Cascade Lake processor family, which delivers a performance that is 36% higher than its predecessors.


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September 13, 2014 -- InventHelp, founded in 1984 in Pittsburgh, is attempting to submit the Mag Brush to applicable companies for their consideration.
September 12, 2014 -- MiBellaReina.com introduces the new deodorizing body wipe, GoodWipes this week to gals and guys everywhere. The ingenious single packaged wipe is the adult version of the wet wipe created by inventors...
September 12, 2014 -- Fall is fast approaching, and the shift in seasons can take its toll on hair – especially after a summer of sun, chlorine and humidity. Find out how to repair dull, dry strands, boost hair color and...
September 12, 2014 -- On the heels of definitive proof that the Mediterranean diet benefits heart health, La Tienda and ACCIO partner to bring more handcrafted, Spanish made foods to U.S. consumers
September 12, 2014 -- Easier Navigation and Enhanced Product Education for Online Shoppers of The PreD Store
September 12, 2014 -- Goway’s new Rio Carnaval Like a Local is the ultimate way to experience the world’s biggest party.
September 11, 2014 -- SeaTurtle Sports is quickly gaining market share in the growing outdoor games and lifestyle category and will be releasing new products Yazoo in September 2014 and Turtle Toss in November 2014.
September 11, 2014 -- There is a new way to personalize vehicles with Pic the Gift’s customized seat belt protector pad.
September 11, 2014 -- Free Floralapp For iPhone and Android Simplifies Ordering Through Local Florists For One-Click Delivery Throughout USA
September 11, 2014 -- Plant the 2014 Bulb of the Year from Longfield Gardens in fall for bright garden color in spring
September 11, 2014 -- SkinStore’s new tool allows customers to receive a professional-grade beauty assessment in the comfort of their own homes.
September 11, 2014 -- GIA initiates research coverage on the global “Writing and Marking Instruments” market, as part of its ongoing multiple research projects on diverse industries and markets. The soon to be released...
September 11, 2014 -- GIA initiates research coverage on the global “Stationery Products” market, as part of its ongoing multiple research projects on diverse industries. The soon to be released report identifies workforce...
September 11, 2014 -- Four models reflect the company’s expertise in all aspects of music—from musical instruments to live production gear—and reproduce performances as the artists intended them to be heard.
September 11, 2014 -- Pluggz Shoes Help Improve Overall Well-being
September 11, 2014 -- With the close of the summer season, we prepare to spend more time inside our homes & work spaces. Luckily, Paloma Pottery offers a special on their organic home decor, a way to bring the glory of...
September 11, 2014 -- Nifty-Nifty.com explains just how to use their exceptionally beautiful Italian Magnetic Eyeglass Holders
September 11, 2014 -- New DC Comics Plush Figures to Debut October 1 include Superman, Batman, and the Green Lantern Corps, Plus Many Others
September 10, 2014 -- Crafts market leader presents latest die-cutting and embossing possibilities
September 10, 2014 -- In addition to its world-class spa treatments, Ohm Spa and Lounge now offers two separate lounge areas to entertain bridal, birthday, or corporate events.
September 10, 2014 -- The award-winning Yoropen design is back for good; as of Friday, September 5th, the new Yoropen Z3 has been successfully funded on Kickstarter and the production process has begun. Ballpoint pen...
September 10, 2014 -- MM1’s versatility to eliminate future needs for 3D printer upgrades
September 10, 2014 -- In honor of September Baby Safety Month, gift basket company, Thoughtful Presence, kicks off month long special offer and giveaway.
September 10, 2014 -- Pasadena solar and solar panels companies in Pasadena have a new juggernaut on the way. With years of construction experience, Boston Brick is announcing their launch into solar panel energy as Boston...
September 10, 2014 -- Award-winning Art, Wine and Music Festival. 2 Days, 4 Live Stages, 20 Cover Bands, 260+ Artist Booths, KidZone, Great Food - and arguably the largest selection of Wine, Beer and Ale of any San...


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The Gathering 2007 Report – Parts 1 & 2
Just a heads up if you have not been following our coverage of Microsoft’s The Gathering 2007 event which was held last month in London, UK. This was Microsoft’s micro X07 event, where a number of UK and European Xbox community websites (XCN) and gaming press had the chance to play a variety of upcoming Christmas/Holiday line-up of titles for its Xbox 360 console.
Part one of our report features some views on such titles like Army of Two, Need for Speed: ProStreet to a talk with Peter Molyneux and his upcoming masterpiece – Fable 2. Click the banner above to read the article.


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MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO LAKE SQUARE MALL
LEESBURG, Fla., March 27, 2018 - The recent acquisition of Lake Square Mall by a new entity affiliated to the accomplished real estate firm Exclusive Management and Properties, Inc. (EMPI), means big things are happening at the Leesburg shopping center.
Meir Benzaken, the principal owner of EMPI, is bringing new life into Lake Square Mall, which first opened in 1980 and has seen multiple store closings, due to the region’s economic and financial struggles in recent years. Among the improvements, EMPI intends to make are an immediate $3 to $5 million in infrastructure enhancements, including a new covered walkway and new entryway façades. Since the purchase of the property, Lake Square Mall has also signed on five new retail tenants, and the new owner is considering many new prospects with the goal to achieve the perfect tenant mix, Benzaken recently told the Daily Commercial. Work on the mall is expected to begin sometime within the next 90 days.
Leesburg City Commissioners are in full support of the mall’s improvements, and recently approved a new grant program that gives additional financial support to the project. Under the grant program, Lake Square Mall may receive up to $500,000 from the city to use the property’s infrastructure, landscaping, and signs. The mall is just one part of the city’s larger plans for increased development, an initiative that also includes The Villages of West Lake, a construction project of 8,000 new homes on the south end of Leesburg which are expected to bring 16,000 more residents to the area.
EMPI’s goal with the Lake Square Mall project is to transform the property from a boring shopping center into a hub of shopping, dining, and entertainment for the community. One big change took place early on after the acquisition when the decision was made to bring back the original property’s name, “Lake Square” after previous owners changed the name to Via Port Florida in 2014.
The mall’s revival takes place at a time of growing concern over retail’s shift from physical stores to the online marketplace, but “brick and mortar stores are still king,” Benzaken said, adding that “more than 90 percent of purchases come from physical establishments.” The new stores coming to Lake Square Mall include George Marciano Ranch, Pajar, Lucky Seven, and Yvonne Marie.
Contact. For more information on Meir Benzaken and his related entities, please call (352) 787.1200.


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(CNN) — We've got bad news if you're using someone else's Costco membership to get into stores: The retail giant has begun taking steps to prevent that.
When you enter Costco, you must show an employee your membership card so they can make a purchase. Costco membership cards are non-transferable, but the company allows members to give a second card to someone in their household. The company states that a person with a card can bring up to two guests during each visit.
But Costco has found that people without memberships are entering stores with cards that don't belong to them, especially since Costco expanded self-checkout.
The company recently began requiring shoppers to present their membership cards as well as photo ID at self-checkout registers, the same policy it has with regular checkout registers. “We do not believe it is right for non-members to receive the same benefits and prices as our members,” Costco said in announcing the change.
In addition, Costco has now piloted a system that requires members to scan their membership cards at the store entrance, rather than simply showing the card to employees. Some customers spotted the new scanners at a store in Washington state and posted photos on Reddit.
Costco CFO Richard Galanti told CNN that more people are sharing their memberships since the 2020 pandemic.
Costco is testing the scanners in several stores to see if they are useful. The scanners will also prevent employees from having to ask customers for their membership cards at registers and at self-checkout.
“It speeds up the check-in process and speeds up the check-out process,” Galanti explained. “We believe in it and we will put it to the test.”
This is the latest example of how Costco and other companies like Netflix are taking steps to prevent membership sharing.
Costco had about 66 million paid members and 119 million cardholders in 2022, making it one of the largest membership clubs in the world. Costco members pay $60 annually for a regular membership or $120 for an “executive” card, which includes additional benefits.
The membership model is critical to Costco's business, which has thrived during the pandemic. Annual fees help increase a company's profits and offset expenses, which in turn allows it to keep its prices low. Any changes in membership growth or renewal rates could hurt Costco and force it to raise prices.
The retailer earned $4.2 billion in membership fees in 2022, an increase of 9% from 2021, with a high renewal rate of 93%.
“Social media evangelist. Student. Reader. Troublemaker. Typical introvert.”


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Betway, one of Europe’s largest online betting companies, is planning to spend more than £10M this year on building its brand across Europe through a TV advertising campaign.
Of the total spend, £7.45M will be in the UK with the rest planned for Spain, Italy and Denmark, which are currently Betway’s key target European markets.
The campaign will run across a broad range of channels and will also feature on video on demand platforms. The campaign will continue to build on themes set out in Betway’s debut campaign in 2012. The ads will highlight that Betway’s games can be accessed by a host of devices including tablet and mobile, and will be designed to appeal to the increasing number of women who play online.
Betway has seen a significant rise in player numbers, and believes that the TV advertising campaign is partly responsible for the growth in customers in the UK. It expects that this will be repeated in target European markets.
The TV ad campaign follows the company’s decision to sponsor Trinity Mirror’s Fantasy Football platform for 3 years and its expansion in to social gaming through a partnership with Clickfun Casino. The company recently announced that it has become one of the first online operators to be regulated in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, and the only operator to receive an online casino license in the latest round.
Richard Akitt, The Betway Group chief executive, said: “Our first foray in to TV advertising in the UK earlier this year has been highly successful and has added substantially to our player numbers. We intend to emulate and indeed build on this success next year in the UK where we are gathering momentum against our competitors.
“Our ads are designed also to appeal across our target European markets and we expect to mirror our success in brand building in the UK in Italy, Spain and Denmark.”
We search and gather up the coolest comic book art you won't see in actual comics. The reason you won't is because professional artists often draw sketches for fun or commissions and post them on their websites, blogs, and Tumblrs. Some artists even arrange commissions through their sites so be sure to check them out.
This is a way to see the artists working on one book draw characters from other comics or publishers. Kevin Wada posted some recent commissions on his Tumblr.
A young doctor moved to a small community to replace a doctor who was retiring. The older doctor suggested that the young one accompany him on his rounds, so the community could become used to the new doctor.
At the first house a woman complains, "I've been a little sick to my stomach."
You should consider sponsoring our 'Laughter Spots' They get massive click throughs each time they are loaded. In fact well over 8k in any month. You can have a bespoke sponsorship image sitting alongside our Laughter Spots each time. Great positioning!


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Despite the multitude of online real estate websites, buying a home today remains stubbornly anachronistic, with dual real estate agents, proliferating fees and reams of old-fashioned paper documents.
The long-term prognosis for Medicare has improved thanks to slower health spending, while the outlook for Social Security remains unchanged.
Virgin America, the small airline that's struggled to keep up with the majors, filed plans to sell shares to the public for the first time Monday.
Russian stocks fell to an 11-week low and the ruble slid the most among emerging-market currencies amid the threat of new sanctions from Europe.
Thanks to developments in 3-D printing and the ever expanding reach of Amazon, you can have one delivered to your doorstep. The ecommerce giant has just launched an online store where customers can design 3-D printable toys, jewelry, home decor and ...


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Do you play certain games because of the graphics, or do you play it more for the storyline? Obviously having a game that meets both criterias would be ideal, and the good news for Final Fantasy XV gamers is that if you plan on playing the game on the PS4 Pro, you might want to keep an eye out for the next update to the game.
During an Active Time Report livestream held by Square Enix the other day, it has been revealed that there will be an update coming to the game on the 21st of February, 2017. This update will be boosting the graphics of Final Fantasy XV on the PS4 Pro where it will be getting Full HD support and also see its framerate improved to a buttery smooth 60 fps, although as Square Enix notes, it won’t always be at 60 fps which we guess is fair.
If this sounds familiar, it is because last year Square Enix had announced the improvements which apparently was scheduled for a release in December, 2016, but we guess for whatever reason it has been delayed and will now see a 21st of February, 2017 instead, but better late than never, right?
As it stands Final Fantasy XV is only available on the PS4 and Xbox One platforms, although the game’s director Hajime Tabata recently expressed his interest in seeing it arrive for the PC in a bid to unlock the game’s full technical potential.


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Tags: Wichita and Pittsburg Volvo Rents locations
Volvo Rents has acquired Richardson Equipment Company LLC (R-Quip Equipment Rentals), a two-location construction equipment rental company based in Kansas, with stores in Wichita and Pittsburg. This is the latest move as part of the company’s recent surge of more than ...
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Genesis Trading wallets halted – holding over $280M
Genesis Trading wallets have ceased transactions over the last 12 hours after announcing it is filing for bankruptcy.
Genesis Trading appears to have halted all wallet on-chain operations on Jan. 20 after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of New York
The wallets hold over $280 million in crypto — 144,847 in Ethereum (ETH) worth $220 million — as of press time.
Current wallet holdings
Genesis Trading’s nine remaining top 10 crypto holdings include Compound (COMP), The Sandbox (SAND), Apecoin (APE), Decentraland (MANA), Aave (AAVE), Curve DAO (CRV), Pax Dollar (USDP), The Graph (GRT), Basic Attention Token (BAT) and Uniswap (UNI).
Flooded with fake tokens
Transactions four hours ago into Genesis Trading’s wallets took place, but were just inflows of fake ‘GENESIS’ tokens flooding in.
The last transaction originating from Genesis Trading was 12 hours ago at press time — a distinct change from the wallets’ usual multiple transactions per hour pattern of behavior.


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MinuteClinic, Main Line Health collaborate in Pennsylvania
Woonsocket, R.I. – MinuteClinic, the retail health care division of CVS Caremark and Main Line Health have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to healthcare services at MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Under the agreement, physicians from Main Line Health’s multi-specialty physician network, with more than 2,000 doctors, will serve as collaborating physicians for MinuteClinic locations in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The collaboration will include future clinics as part of MinuteClinic’s national expansion plan to add 150 new clinics this year and reach a total of 1,500 clinics in the U.S. by 2017.
In addition, MinuteClinic and Main Line Health will collaborate on patient education and disease management initiatives and will inform patients of the services each offer. MinuteClinic and Main Line Health will begin to work toward integrating electronic medical record systems to streamline communication around all aspects of each individual’s care. With patient permission, MinuteClinic will electronically share medical histories and visit summaries with other facilities and physicians for an individual’s continuity of care.
"Main Line Health is recognized nationally for delivering high quality care and joins MinuteClinic in our commitment to bring more accessible and affordable medical services to patients in Southeastern Pennsylvania," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., president, MinuteClinic and Senior Vice President/Associate Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark. "We look forward to having Main Line Health physicians collaborate with MinuteClinic’s nurse practitioners to provide quality support, teaching and back-up so MinuteClinic can provide the best care at the lowest overall cost."
Revlon’s acquisition bolsters Q4 sales
Revlon said fourth quarter sales increased 28%, thanks to the inclusion of sales at The Colomer Group, which it acquired in October.
Net sales for the quarter totaled $491 million, up 28% compared with $383.5 million in the year-ago period. On a foreign currency fluctuations or XFX basis, total net sales rose 31.2%, benefiting from the inclusion of $116.8 million of net sales related to the Professional segment beginning on The Colomer Group acquisition date. Excluding the acquisition, total net sales rose 0.7% on an XFX basis.
Net loss for the quarter was $33.1 million, compared with a gain of $46.5 million in the year-ago period.
In the United States, the company posted a decrease in net sales of 0.3% to $218.6 million. Lower sales of Almay color cosmetics were offset by higher net sales of Revlon color cosmetics, Revlon ColorSilk hair color and Revlon Beauty Tools.
For full-year 2013, net sales were $1.50 billion, up 7%. On an XFX basis, total net sales rose 9.6% for the year, benefiting from the inclusion of net sales related to the Professional segment beginning on The Colomer Group acquisition date, as well as a full year of Pure Ice sales.
For full-year 2013, the company posted a loss of $5.8 million, compared with a gain of $51.1 million in the year-ago period.
“We successfully completed our transformational acquisition of The Colomer Group on October 9, 2013, reuniting the global Revlon brand and expanding Revlon back into the professional channel. Since the acquisition, we have taken further actions to strategically move the combined business forward. We finalized our integration plan, announced our plans to realize annualized cost reductions related to integrating TCG of up to $35 million by the end of 2015, and began to take actions to achieve these benefits. Also, in December 2013 we announced the exit of our business operations in China, which is expected to generate additional annualized cost reductions of $11 million. Given the transformational nature of our TCG acquisition and our overall cost reduction opportunities, the primary focus for us in 2014 will be the successful execution of these programs to achieve the combined synergies,” said Revlon president and CEO Lorenzo Delpani.
Weiss Markets affected by shortened holiday in Q4
Weis Markets cited a shortened holiday season among the reasons for a decline in fourth quarter and year-to-date sales.
The company reported $686.4 million in fourth-quarter sales for the 13-week period ended Dec. 28, 2013, representing a decline of 1.1% as compared to the year-ago period. Comparable store sales for the same period were down 3.5%.
In 2013, the company’s sales totaled $2.7 billion, down 0.3% compared to 2012. Comparable store sales for the 52-week period ending Dec. 28 declined 2.6%.
Along with the shortened holiday season, the company’s fourth quarter results were impacted by a decline in food stamp/SNAP spending in its stores, all of which impacted sales in key center store categories, the Pennsylvania grocer stated. Its results were also affected by fuel price deflation, which resulted in lower retail gas sales. Deli sales were also lower due to manufacturer recalls.
Weis’ year-to-date results were impacted by the trends affecting its fourth quarter results: stagnant sales performance in key center store categories, lower comparable store gas sales due to significant fuel price deflation and a decline in SNAP sales, all of which accelerated in the fourth quarter.